Essendon Bombers 2021: Dyson Heppell defends club against culture criticism

Essendon may have only won six game last year but the Bombers won’t be making big changes to their game plan. Here’s why.

Dyson Heppell will captain Essendon for a fifth season and says there is no culture issue at the club. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has mounted a strong defence of the club’s culture in the wake of three key player departures and criticism of the Bombers’ coaching handover.

President Paul Brasher said it was time the club got tougher on its players as star trio Joe Daniher (Brisbane Lions), Adam Saad (Carlton) and Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide) all walked out last year following another disappointing season on field.

Heppell, who is targeting a Round 1 comeback from another ankle injury, yesterday hit back at accusations the club suffered from a poor environment, saying the rebuilding Bombers were on the right track.

“I couldn’t disagree more with some of the statements (about culture) that were getting thrown out (in last year’s exchange period),” Heppell said.

Ben Rutten will go it alone as senior coach for the first time in 2021. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Obviously everyone is trying to build a really strong culture and it is something that we are certainly working towards.

“At the moment, that is a great focus of ours over this pre-season and just really trying to build our relationships right across the club and I think that will stack up really well.”

The Bombers won only one of their last 10 games of the season and, as part of an off-field overhaul, poached Melbourne footy boss Josh Mahoney to replace departed football manager Dan Richardson.

Western Bulldogs assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa, who will play a strong hand in building connectedness amid the group, also came across to Tullamarine.

While Essendon admitted some conflicting philosophies cost it in last year’s coaching handover from John Worsfold to Ben Rutten, Heppell said there would be minimal change in the game plan this year.

Andrew McGrath and Zach Merrett have both been elevated to the leadership group. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Dylan Shiel, however, has been told to focus on playing his best footy this season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Former Giant Jye Caldwell has slotted in nicely at The Hangar. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

He said the players had enormous belief in Rutten’s vision.

“We’ll back him 100 per cent and have really enjoyed the way he has managed to galvanise the group,” Heppell sad.

“Our game plan in general, nothing is changing too much. We can just keep developing what we have been working on, and hopefully that stacks up.”

Former Giant Jye Caldwell has impressed early in his midfield work, while ex Gold Coast Sun Peter Wright can help fill a huge void at full forward.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti led the club’s goal kicking last year with 19 majors.

Star midfielder Zach Merrett, who will be heavily targeted in this year’s free agency pool, has rejoined the leadership group in place of jet midfielder Dylan Shiel.

Shiel will focus on his performance after finishing 10th in the Bombers’ best and fairest in his second season at the club.

Heppell said Merrett deserved his place in the senior group after he was demoted from it last year.

“It’s awesome for Zachy, he’s a tremendous leader,” Heppell said.

“He developed a hell of a lot last year. Him not being in the leadership group he handled that extremely well (and) developed his leadership right throughout the year.

“He has come back in an awesome space. It shows the respect he has got from not only the playing group, but the staff and the broader club as well.

“It was voted mong the playing groups, the footy staff and ‘Truck’ (Rutten) had the final decisions in the end, and it shows you what type of leader he is and what sort of person he is to bounce back after not being in it last year.”